Laurel: Sloppy track no problem for Ben's Cat

Ben's Cat collects the ninth stakes victory of his career in the off-the-turf Laurel Dash.

The switch from his accustomed grass surface to a sloppy track posed no problems for Ben’s Cat.

Racing in the slop for the first time in his 19-race career and back on the main track after six straight races on turf, Ben’s Cat ($3.80) took control in the stretch and rolled to a two-length victory in the $75,000 Laurel Dash at Laurel Park on Saturday.

It was the fourth straight win and the 14th overall for Ben’s Cat, a 5-year-old who did not get to run in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint despite a victory in the Win and You’re In Turf Monster at Parx because his owner-breeder-trainer King Leatherbury felt it was impractical to pay the $100,000 it would have cost to supplement to the race.

“Ben just toyed with them,” said Rose. “To me it was one of his more powerful races. King and I were talking. He hasn’t been on dirt for a while, so I didn’t want to get behind a bunch of horses, so I just tipped to the outside. What amazes me is the 2 horse [Royal Currier] has back class. He just won the Gallant Bob in impressive fashion and he [Ben’s Cat] ran by him like he was a $12,000 claimer. I would like to see one day where somebody can actually stay with him to see what kind of kick he has. I haven’t got to the bottom of this horse.”

Royal Currier, a 3-year-old coming off a 109 Beyer Speed Figure for winning last month’s $250,000 Gallant Bob at Parx, finished second. Action Andy got third in a field reduced to six after six horses were scratched when the race was taken off the turf.